Firefighter back on the job after motorcycle crash

Published: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 2:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 2:36 p.m.

OCALA -- Put back together with plates and screws, a firefighter has been given the go-ahead by bosses and doctors to again climb ladders, jump through windows and fight blazes.

Less than a year after a motorcycle accident left him clinging to life, Marshall Runkles is back in uniform and back on the job at Shady Station 16.

A passenger vehicle T-boned him, throwing Runkles about 30 feet in the air and into the ground.

Having survived two broken forearms, several broke ribs, a broken collar bone, snapped pelvis bone, a concussion that forced him into a medically induced coma, other internal injuries and a stroke -- the 38-year-old Runkles said he feels lucky to be back, especially so soon.

"I feel good," said Runkles, who has been with Marion County Fire-Rescue since 2003. "I thought at one time I would never be back."

For more on this story and other local news, see Wednesday's Star-Banner and ocala.com.

<p>OCALA -- Put back together with plates and screws, a firefighter has been given the go-ahead by bosses and doctors to again climb ladders, jump through windows and fight blazes.</p><p> Less than a year after a motorcycle accident left him clinging to life, Marshall Runkles is back in uniform and back on the job at Shady Station 16.</p><p> A passenger vehicle T-boned him, throwing Runkles about 30 feet in the air and into the ground.</p><p> Having survived two broken forearms, several broke ribs, a broken collar bone, snapped pelvis bone, a concussion that forced him into a medically induced coma, other internal injuries and a stroke -- the 38-year-old Runkles said he feels lucky to be back, especially so soon.</p><p> "I feel good," said Runkles, who has been with Marion County Fire-Rescue since 2003. "I thought at one time I would never be back."</p><p><i>For more on this story and other local news, see Wednesday's Star-Banner and ocala.com.</i></p>